Watch: Viral video of elephant 'dancing' bharatnatyam raises concerns 每 'It is stressed,' says IFS officer

A video recently went viral featuring two women performing Bharatanatyam, with a surprising twist〞the elephant behind them appears to be actually joining in. While the scene may seem charming at first, Indian Forest Service officer Parveen Kaswan has raised concerns, suggesting that the elephant's behaviour could actually be a sign of stress, rather than enjoyment.

Check out the video here:

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〞 Bhoomika Maheshwari (@sankii_memer) November 26, 2024

In the video, two women are seen performing Bharatanatyam outdoors, with an elephant tied to a pole behind them.

As the women dance, the elephant begins swaying from side to side, leading many viewers to believe it's gracefully joining in.

The video, posted on X with the caption, "Two girls performing Bharatanatyam when suddenly an elephant joins in, matching their moves," quickly went viral.

While some viewers found it beautiful, questioning whether the elephant was real or an AI creation, Indian Forest Service officer Parveen Kaswan offered a sobering perspective.

He pointed out that the elephant's swaying was not a sign of joy, but of stress. "That elephant is stressed. It is not sign of dancing but stress," he commented, sharing another video of an elephant showing similar signs of distress.

Kaswan emphasised the importance of not humanising animals, stating, "We need not to humanise animals. They have their own way of living and expression."

Here is another example. I video- graphed this female elephant few months ago. She gave birth to calf and was feeling stressed due to our presence.

We need not to humanise animals. They have their own way of living and expression. pic.twitter.com/o0K3IGZPoB

〞 Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) November 27, 2024

Indeed, elephants often sway back and forth, especially in captivity, as a response to stress, boredom, or anxiety.

This behavior, known as stereotypic swaying, typically occurs when elephants are isolated, lack stimulation, or are in uncomfortable environments.

It can also be a sign of emotional distress, as elephants are highly social animals and may sway when separated from their herd or in unfamiliar settings.

While it can occasionally be seen in the wild, it＊s more commonly associated with captivity and poor welfare.

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